LATE COLONEL GORTON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7016, 3 January 1910, Page 5

LATE COLONEL GORTON

MILITARY FUNERAL. IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY AT GREATEORD. SPECIAL TO THE 4 ‘TIMES. ** MARTON, January 2. Tho esteem in which LieutenantColonel Gorton was held was amply demonstrated to-day, when tho deceased was laid to rest, in accordance with his wish, in the lit’tlo burial ground surrounding St. Martin s Church, Greatford. The funeral, a military one, was attended by a very large crowd of people from all parts of the district. Among the great number of message's was the following: PALMERSTON N., Dec. 31. I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to state thpt ho lias learned with mixed feelings of the death of Colonel Gorton—sorrow 1 at tho loss of so noteworthy a figure, but relief to know he is no longer a sufferer. His Excellency desires to convey his sympathy to Colonel Gorton’s relatives. H. 0. WATERFIELD, Private Secretary. Tho order of tho procession was as follows :—A detachment of tho Permanent Artillery under Major Hume and Lieutenant Handish; the Marten Band (conductor, J. C. Crean); tho gun carriage; chief mourners —Messrs Norman, Leslie, and Edward Gorton, sons, E. H. Lovett, son-in-law, and Captain Edwin, R.N.; Feilding Mounted Rifles under Captain Levin and Lieutenants Dick and Taylor; Royal Rangitikei Rifles, Captain Baitten. The “Legislature was represented by the Hon. James Carroll, senior mem- . her of the Ministry. A few followed on foot, and then came close upon one hundred vehicles, many motor-cars, and a cavalcade of horsemen.

Tho cortege left the house to the strains of the Dead March >} in “ Saul,” played by the Morton Band, reinforced by several members of the Wanganui Garrison Band. The bier was carried from the gun-carriage into the Church of St. Martin’s by Messrs J. G. Wilson, Lionel Abraham, R. H. Aldworth, R. S. Abraham, L. M. Taverner, and Captain Levin. The first portion of the burial service was read in tho church. The last resting-place of the deceased soldier and pioneer was almost at the threshold of tho entrance to the little sanctuary which tho colonel loved so well. As the closing words of the simple and beautiful Anglican service, “ For they rest from their labours,” were uttered by the Rev. Mr Sola, who officiated both at the church and the graveside, the whispering breeze sighed gently through the tall pine treetops, and the scene was a deeply impressive one. The customary volleys were fired by twenty-four members of the Permanent Artillery, and the “Last Post” was sounded by Trumpeter Nicholas. The coffin was of plain oiled rimu, with very little furnishings. The plat© boro this simple inscription : “ Edward Gorton, died 30 Dec., 1909, aged. 72.” Beautiful floral tributes were received from, the following, among others : —Rangitikei Racing Club (of which the deceased was president for some fifteen years); Manawatu Golf Club (of which Colonel Gorton was at one time president, and always one of its most enthusiastic players); Mr John Stevens, Bulls; Mr L. Berry, Wellington; Mr and Mrs W. F. G. Levin, Mr and Mrs L. M. Taverner, and Mrs Willis, Greatford; Mrs D. G.‘ iliddiford, Miss Bennett, and Mrs E. J. Wyldo, Marten; Manawatu A. and P. Association; Manawatu Auctioneers’ Association; Manawatu Racing Club; Mr and Mrs J. M. Johnston, “ Tiritea ”; Mr and Mrs R. S. Abraham, Captain and Mrs Hewitt, Mr Lionel Abraham, Mr and Mrs Harold Cooper, of Palmerston.,

According to native custom, Mr Tarau Marumam, of Lower Rangitikei, forwarded as Maori mat, the interpretation of the words in Maori on the card accompanying the tribute being:—“ln Memoriam. This is a symbol of remembrance for our great and older friend, who has returned. this day to the distance beyond with the spirits.” A large sheaf of telegrams were received by the relatives from all parts of Now Zealand, among the senders may be mentioned an old comrade, Mr Thomas Furlong, late of the 57th Regiment; Sir Joseph Ward; Mr John Cotter, Greytown; Mr P. C. Freeth, “ New Zealand Times ” ; Mrs J. G. Wilson, Bulls; Mr and Mrs R. S. Abraham, Mr John Stovens, Mr L. G. AVcst, Palmerston North; Dr R. O. Earle, Wanganui; Mr George Hall, Christchurch; Messrs F. E. Jackson and Co., ' Wanganui; Mr Charles Carr, Auckland; Mr and Mrs F. A. Krull, Wanganui.